Conservation Plan for Great Indian Bustards

In Context

• The Environment Ministry has taken various measures for the Conservation and protection of Great Indian Bustards.

Some important steps in this regard are as follows

• The Great Indian Bustard is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Important habitats of Great Indian Bustards are designated as National Parks/ sanctuaries.
• The species has been identified for conservation efforts under the component ‘Species Recovery Programme’ of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitats. 
• Sites for establishment of a conservation breeding centres for the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican birds have been identified in consultation with the Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• In-situ Conservation Proposal by Rajasthan government.

Great Indian Bustards

• About:
  • One of the heaviest flying birds endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
  • State Bird of Rajasthan.
• Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
• Habitat: 
  • Untamed, Arid grasslands.
  • A Maximum number of GIBs were found in Jaisalmer and the Indian Army-controlled field firing range near Pokhran, Rajasthan.
  • Other areas: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
  • Listed in Wildlife Protection Act’s Schedule 1.
• Threats to the Bird:
  • Hunting, Intensification of agriculture, Power lines.

Initiatives

• Project Great Indian Bustard (Rajasthan State)
• Habitat Improvement and Conservation Breeding

Source: PIB